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Show All Answers
You may use the single copy PDF version, rather than the Excel version, of the Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit (REETA), and all other REET forms, including Mobile Home, and Supplemental Statements. Please be careful that you don't reduce the print and/or form size when printing these documents from the Department of Revenue website. We will only accept one original legal size (8.5" x 14") signed document, if not submitting the 4-part legal size carbonized form. Once reviewed and receipted, we will make the necessary photo copies. Please provide 1 copy of all attachments, on standard letter size paper (8.5" x 11"). Including, but not limited to, legal description, and any attachments required by the WAC rules. Washington State Department of Revenue Forms
There is a Real Estate Gift Supplemental form that must be signed by both parties, and must accompany a completed Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit. These documents are filed in the Treasurer's Office and are subject to a minimum filing fee if there are no taxes due. Follow the link below, then look for Real estate excise tax supplemental statement.
If the mobile home is going to be moved, as a condition of sale, obtain a tax certificate (moving permit) from the Assessor's Office. There is no charge for the tax certificate. Take the tax certificate to the Treasurer's Office to be certified that any property taxes due on the mobile home have been paid, and receive an orange decal which must be displayed on the mobile home while it is being moved. It is a violation of Washington state law to move a mobile home without a validated tax certificate and orange decal. When all property taxes have been paid, the Treasurer's Office will issue a tax verification form (half sheet). The tax verification form, and the current mobile home title, can be taken to the Licensing Department in the Auditor's Office to pay sales tax and transfer the title into the new owner's name.
If the mobile home is not going to be moved, go to the Treasurer's Office to complete a Mobile Home Excise Tax Affidavit and pay any excise tax that may be due. This affidavit must be signed by the buyer and the seller, and is required along with the current title, to transfer title in the Licensing Department of the Auditor's Office. Please be careful that you don't reduce the print and/or form size when printing these documents from the Department of Revenue website.
Follow the link below, then look for Real estate excise tax mobile home affidavit.


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Transform your favourite pictures into a work of art by getting them digitally printed onto our high quality canvas. We hand stretch the prints over gallery quality wooden stretcher frames to achieve a professional and long lasting product. A good canvas can quickly alter the look of any room or office space by adding an all important focal point.
Our canvases are expertly finished to hide all signs of fitment and can be sprayed with satin UV protection to add extra longevity.
A picture of your children, a wedding, a party, a holiday, whatever you would like to turn into a piece if art we can create it for you. Simply send us your digital photos.
We stock a large range of canvas frames so can offer a broad spectrum of sizing options. What size you choose depends on your preference and the quality of the image you supply. If you need us to size your image/images to your chosen frame size the please add the artwork sizing option. This way we can ensure that the print will look how you intend it to look.
(Once you have placed your order you will receive an email requesting your artwork/image, this is to be supplied sized to the dimensions of your order)
Terms & Conditions
We cannot guarantee delivery by a certain date or time (at any time of the year). We aim to deliver within 5 working days however we cannot be held to account for delivery delays caused by either the weather or production / delivery backlogs caused by bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
No compensation will be paid for late deliveries. If your order is late due to unforeseen circumstances, matters out of our control or the weather you may proceed in one of two ways: 1) cancel your order before delivery or 2) wait for us to deliver as soon as possible.
All of our prints are prepared using sophisticated software to get your photo ready to print and are then printed using large format printers. They are then coated, stretched and framed by hand. As each canvas print is bespoke and created especially for you (i.e. our canvas prints are NOT a mass produced product), they take longer to produce and ship than normal "off the shelf" items.
Except where a voucher has been purchased via a special purchasing platform, we reserve the right to withdraw any offer at any time. No promotions, coupons / vouchers or seasonal special offers may be combined with any other offers - only one offer at a time is allowed and only one coupon code or voucher can be used per transaction.

subset: commoncrawl


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Requirements: Android 2.1+
Overview: The Android version of iBridgeBaron, which earned an "A" rating from the American Contract
Bridge League
Play some serious Bridge with your Android phone or tablet.
BridgeBaron is based on the best-selling computer Bridge game Bridge Baron, and is using its bidding and bridge play engine, which has won Five World Computer Bridge Championships.
Save game on exit; load last game or start a new one
Over 2 billion bridge deals
Duplicate and rubber bridge.
Optionally play deals with all cards face up
Bidding hints with explanation
Play hints at any time
Choose static or rotating dealer
Choose who gets the best hand
Choose what kind of deal you want to play: Slam , Game , No Trump or Part Score Deal
Included bidding systems:
- Standard American 5-card Majors
- Standard American Yellow Card
- Precision
- Two-Over-One
- Acol
- La Majeure Cinquieme
- Forum D
Each system has Basic, Intermediate and Advanced options, controlling the number of bidding conventions played.
Basic: Weak two bids, Stayman, Jacoby transfers Allow 5-card major 1NT, One minor -> 2NT invitational, Strong jump shift responses, 2D Waiting, Feature asking 2NT, Takeout doubles, Limit major raises, New suit resp. to overcall forcing, Jump raise invitational, Weak jump shifts, Blackwood, Standard king asking
Intermediate: Texas transfers, Systems on after 1NT overcall, Cappelletti, Inverted minor raises, New minor forcing, Truscott 2NT after double, Splinters, Long suit game-tries, Jacoby 2NT, RKC Blackwood, Voluntary 5-major bids, Control showing cue-bids, Unusual NT, Michaels, Negative doubles, Responsive doubles, Lead directing doubles
Advanced: Lebensohl, NT Defense on in balancing seat, Delayed splinter bids, Preemptive raises, Forcing 1NT, Short suit game-tries, Reverse Drury, Lebensohl over opponent's weak two bids, Jump raise preemptive, Unusual over unusual, Weak jump overcalls, Sandwich NT, Limit-plus cue-bids
The computer also plays and hints at three levels : Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced
Bidding interpretation, take back and claiming at any time.
Full review of how you and Bridge Baron played hands in Duplicate mode.
Download Instructions:
Mirrors :


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Harold Camping's Stroke Punishment From God? A Biblical Response
Harold Camping, 89, suffered a mild stroke last week that affected his speech. Could this incident be a sign or punishment from God for his false rapture predictions?
For over 50 years, Harold Camping has used the Family Radio pulpit to teach what he believed to be God's word in the Bible.
In his trademark gravelly voice, Camping could be heard over radio airwaves and in small classes speaking about the Bible passage by passage. But as years passed, those teachings began morphing into predictions, as Camping claimed he had unlocked the dates of Judgment Day and the rapture by using numerology found in the Bible and a calculated formula.
Camping's latest prediction was that the rapture and Judgment would take place May 21, the date that would signal the beginning of the End of the World. To this day, it is not certain how many people sold their homes, quit their jobs or gave away their life savings in anticipation of his doomsday prophecy. But from the few that did share their stories publicly, one thing was for certain – they believed his predictions were the real deal.
But as the world knows by now, May 21 came and went. And although Camping issued a statement saying he was only wrong in the sense that the judgment came in a "spiritual sense" instead of a physical one, the damage to whatever remained of his public integrity was done. To the observers in the U.S. and around the world, it was official: Harold Camping was and is a false prophet.
Then last Thursday, nearly three weeks after his predicted May 21 Judgment date, the 89-year-old Camping suffered a mild stroke and was admitted to a local hospital near his home in Alameda, Calif. The stroke has reportedly only affected his speech, which has become slurred as a result.
For many observers, the stroke – while tragic – seemed like a divine act to punish the radio preacher for his false predictions or at the very least warn him not to do it again. It was too coincidental, many observers said on Twitter and Facebook, that it was Camping's speech that was affected.
Was Harold Camping's stroke punishment from God? Does a loving God even punish people if they disobey Him?
"God, certainly in the Bible, judges and punishes. Punishment is deserved for human rebellion," said Erik Thoennes, associate professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University, to The Christian Post.
Thoennes pointed to several examples of God's punishment throughout the Bible: Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden, the world being judged in Noah's flood, and King Herod being struck down. God takes "disciplinary action" not just on individuals but on people groups as well, including the Israelites, Canaanites and Egyptians, he said.
"When we read the Bible, it is clear that God is active in creation. He takes sin seriously, he judges sin, he punishes individuals and people groups and nations and churches," said Thoennes. "All the time you have God revealing himself and working out His redemptive purposes for creation."
But for Harold Camping's case, it's hard to say, according to the Talbot School of Theology professor.
"To speculate with some sort of certainty that we know what's going on when someone has a stroke is not something we're able to do because the Bible doesn't give us the interpretation for it," continued Thoennes.
"That's not to say it can't be helpful for us to ask: Lord, are you up to something here? Lord, are you trying to teach me something? That may be the case but it's very hard to know with certainty ... Sometimes we rush to connect the dots but sometimes we can't know why they (calamities) happened."
Thoennes said too often people focus only on the particulars of God's judgment rather than understanding that universal reality of God's judgment on a rebellious humanity. People forget that they, too, are under God's judgment.
"We're all under God's curse equally because of the fallen condition of all human beings," he explained. "So Harold Camping's stroke in that sense is an act of judgment in the same way my deteriorating body is an act of judgment."
People who have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus, who took that punishment and wrath upon himself, no longer have to bear that judgment while people who have yet to accept Christ will one day need to answer to that wrath, according to Thoennes.
"Thankfully, Jesus takes on our punishment if we are benefiting from that by faith," he said.
So, what is a biblical response to someone like Harold Camping?
Thoennes said our first response should be humility upon the realization that we all deserve judgment and death because of our sin.
"Rather than being self-righteous toward someone who is going through a difficult thing, it should be a sobering, humbling repentance we feel."
Secondly, it's always good to pray for the person. In Camping's case, pray that "he would come to physical health and come to understanding of the truth," said the Biola professor.
A pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada, Calif., Thoennes said if Camping belonged to a church, he could seek wisdom from the community of believers as to what God is trying to reveal to him. However, since the Family Radio broadcaster believes the church age is over, it will be near impossible to glean those types of lessons without being part of a functioning church, he noted.
Thoennes commented that he feels it is entirely appropriate for the public, including Christians, to respond to and confront Camping's unbiblical teachings, as long as they do it with humility. Despite the May 21 rapture dud, Camping still maintains that October 21 will mark the End of the World.
What Christians should avoid, however, is joining the mocking bandwagon along with everyone else and turning the church's teachings on the final Judgment and the Second Coming into a laughable idea.
"Harold Camping is only wrong of the date setting," said Thoennes. "He's not wrong about the magnitude and seriousness of this."


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[The Sopranos Ending - Made In America was previously published on May 31, 2008 as Understanding Made In America - The Final Episode of the Sopranos]
In honor of Made in America's one-year anniversary (June 10, 2008), I submit the following...
Because of the dramatic subject matter and the contemporary setting, we - the audience of The Sopranos - have a tendency, if not a desire, to view the show as a window into an alternate reality. For example, when Carmela says "You may not realize it, but you are making contacts," we like to think she is doing so because that happens to be the thought going through her character's head at the given moment. When the scene cuts from a discussion between Meadow's and Patrick's families to a cat at the Bada Bing, we like to think we are just witnessing the next relevant happening in a chronology. When AJ develops a relationship with a girl named Rhiannon, we like to think that just happens to be the name her parents chose to give her.
However, The Sopranos is first and foremost a work of fiction. And as such, it is likely subject to all the plot development devices commonly employed by authors of fiction including: dramatic irony, symbolism, and meaningful scene sequencing. Using an understanding of these techniques to glean clues from the final two episodes, we can clearly conclude the following:
- Tony was indeed "whacked"
- Carmela and AJ also were killed
- Meadow lived
- Patsy Parisi betrayed Tony
- AJ inadvertently facilitated the murders
- Rhiannon was an unwitting accomplice for the murders
Dialogue and Scene Analysis
Here I will take the most important scenes from the final two episodes - mostly the last episode - and break them down piece by piece. The analysis is chronological. However, any scene and/or line of dialogue deemed as nonessential to the analysis has been omitted in the interest of brevity.
Episode 85: The Blue Comet
Silvio: Burt let me know the other night he's been playing both sides of the fence with New York.
Tony: Burt?
Silvio: Measures were taken.
[Tony looks at Silvio's bandaged hand.]
Silvio: Burt wasn't speaking for just himself. Guys are getting squeezed hard to sway them towards new management.
Tony: They thought you'd be a part of it?
Silvio: And he got an answer.
The key point here is that "Burt wasn't speaking for just himself." The implication is that there are other guys in Tony's employ who are either already "playing both sides of the fence with New York," or are sympathetic to the idea of "new management." Likely, Patsy Parisi is one of these people.


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LeBron James posts triple-double as Heat rally, up streak to 24
CLEVELAND -- Miami's winning streak was in danger of disappearing -- in Cleveland, of all places.
But LeBron James wouldn't give up.
"That guy right there doesn't want to lose in this building," teammate Dwyane Wade said, nodding toward James, who left many angry Cavaliers fans behind when he bolted for Miami as a free agent three years ago. "Not tonight."
James scored 25 points as the Heat overcame a 27-point deficit in the third quarter and won their 24th straight game, 98-95 over the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night to extend the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.
The Heat are within nine games of matching the record of 33 consecutive wins held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers. Once believed to be untouchable, the mark is now within reach.
James and his teammates have insisted the record isn't one of their goals, and for more than 30 minutes the defending champions seemed disinterested and on the verge of losing for the first time since Feb. 1. Miami trailed 67-40 with 7:44 left in the third quarter.
But behind the irrepressible James, who added 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 42 minutes, the Heat inched closer to history and matched the NBA's biggest comeback this season, according to STATS.
"This was one of the most bizarre, unique days of my life with everything that happened," said James, referring to a homecoming in which a fan ran onto the floor and the opening tip was delayed 35 minutes by a leaky scoreboard. "It also was one of the best comebacks I've ever been a part of."
James had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in the fourth as Miami rallied to win for the second game in a row. The Heat were down 17 points -- 13 in the fourth quarter -- and stormed back to beat Boston 105-103 on Monday and surpass the 2007-08 Houston Rockets for the second-longest streak in NBA history.
"I knew there was a lot of time, so we never panicked," James said. "We were down 27 with 18 minutes left. That's a lifetime in basketball."
Although the Cavs were missing All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters and Anderson Varejao -- their top three scorers -- they pushed Miami to the limit.
It wasn't until James, playing his fourth game back in Cleveland since leaving, made two free throws with 4.7 seconds left that Miami could relax, but just a little. The Cavs had one last chance to tie it, but C.J. Miles was long with a 3-pointer in the final second, letting Miami off the hook.
Following the game, James stopped to sign a few autographs as he made his way to Miami's locker room. This was much tougher than he and the Heat could have imagined. The win also completed a five-game road trip, dubbed "The Reunion Tour" by James because Miami visited Wade's home in Milwaukee, Chris Bosh's former team in Toronto and Ray Allen's in Boston.
"The streak wasn't on my mind, but us getting blown out was," James said. "I was going to be the only guy to take an 'L' on the reunion tour."
Mario Chalmers added 17 points and Wade had 11 for the Heat, who outscored the Cavs 30-18 in the fourth quarter and 64-40 in the second half.
Wayne Ellington had 20 points and Tristan Thompson 18 for Cleveland, which went from a stunning upset to blowing the biggest lead in a loss in franchise history.
"We knew it was coming," Thompson said of the Heat's comeback. "They were the NBA champions last season. They're not going to lay down. Champions don't lay down even when they're down by 27. We knew they were going to make a push. Guys went out and made plays, so you have to give them credit."
Down by nine to open the fourth, the Heat were up 95-86 with 3:02 left and seemed to have the Cavaliers on the ropes.
But Cleveland bounced back and closed to 96-95 on Thompson's two free throws with 44 seconds to go. Wade then missed a jumper, but Ellington misfired on a step-back 23-footer with 5.2 seconds to go.
James was fouled and the reigning MVP, with a sellout crowd of 20,562 roaring, stepped to the line and dropped both free throws to make it 98-95.
Miles was contested on his final shot, and once it clanked off the rim, the Heat headed home with a chance to extend their streak to 25 on Friday against Detroit.
This game had a little of everything, including a fan running on the floor in the fourth quarter. The young man was wearing a T-shirt that said: "We Miss You, 2014 Come Back," a reference to James' possible free agency and return to Cleveland, where he played seven seasons.
James went out of his way and patted the fan on the head as security rushed him off the floor.
"He said he missed me and come back, please," James said. "It happened once before in (Madison Square) Garden, so I wasn't worried. There are metal detectors here, so we were OK. I embraced it."
The start of the game was delayed because of a spill on the floor caused by condensation from a carbon dioxide container inside the scoreboard.
James scored eight straight points to open the fourth, hitting a 3-pointer to tie it 77-all. He then turned toward the crowd and delivered an icy stare, his way of saying, 'OK, enough is enough.'
"When he made that one and turned to the crowd," Wade said, "you knew it was coming."
Game notes
Starting with the Cavs, Miami's next 10 games are against opponents with a combined winning percentage of just .399. ... The Heat play the Pistons and Charlotte at home before going to Orlando, Chicago, New Orleans and San Antonio. ... It was the first time Miami overcame a 21-point halftime deficit to win. ... The Cavs will wait a week before they evaluate Waiters, who has loose cartilage, and decide whether he needs surgery. Cleveland coach Byron Scott hopes his young guard comes back in the final month. "If he gets back, I'll be thrilled to death," Scott said. ... Miami's three wins over Cleveland this season have been by a total of nine points.
Regular Season Series
MIA leads 3-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Monty McCutchen
- John Goble
- Haywoode Workman
2023-24 Southeast Standings
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
Orlando | 31 | 25 | .554 | - | W2 |
Miami | 30 | 25 | .545 | 0.5 | W2 |
Atlanta | 24 | 31 | .436 | 6.5 | L2 |
Charlotte | 14 | 41 | .255 | 16.5 | W4 |
Washington | 9 | 46 | .164 | 21.5 | L9 |


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What is JEITA A measuring standard?
What is JEITA A measuring standard?
JEITA A stands for Japan Electronic Information Technology Association (Ver 1.0).
JEITA A measuring standard is based on the following conditions:
1. Screen saver: None.
Right-click on the Desktop→ Personalize →Screen saver→ None
2. Volume control: Mute.
Select the Volume icon on the taskbar→ Right-click→ Open volume Mixer→ Mute
3. Switch off the Wireless LAN switch
Select the Wireless Function icon on the taskbar→ Right-click→ Show main dialog→ Deselect Enable Wireless LAN→ Click Apply
4. Complete the initial settings of McAfee Security Center.
5. Turn off the Windows automatic updates
Start→ Control panel→ Windows update→ Automatic updating off
Common settings in Control Panel - Power Options
Power Plan
1. Go to Control Panel - Power Options, select VAIO Maximum Battery
VAIO Maximum Battery is hidden under Show additional plans by default.
Plan Settings
1. Turn off the display: Never
2. Put the computer to sleep: Never
VAIO Power Management
Go to Change advanced power settings - VAIO Power Management - Advanced button
1. Leave Enable VAIO Power Management selected.
2. Unselect Automatically hibernate when computer goes into a low-power state.
Adjust the brightness of the LCD
Change the brightness level to 0 with Fn & F5 or F6 key.
For VGN-AW15G, please hange the brightness level to 1 with Fn & F5 or F6 key.
Please refer to the steps below
1. Fully charge the battery of the notebook.
2. Play the video clip stored on the HDD Drive continuously.
Please refer to the following to obtain the test media file.
a. Visit http://it.jeita.or.jp/mobile/e/index.html
b. Click 3. MPEG measurement file and then click MPEG file for JEITA Battery Run Time Measurement Method approx. 30MB
c. Save the MPEG file onto the HDD Drive.
3. Calculate the running time after unplugging the AC adaptor until the notebook shuts down automatically.
For more information on JEITA A Battery Run Time Measurement Method for VAIO notebook, please visit the following website.


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Review: Peter Berg's fierce 'Lone Survivor' captures realities of war
In "Lone Survivor," filmmaker Peter Berg has finally found the right war to fight and the right cast to fight it. Based on Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell's memoir of a failed military operation in Afghanistan, the action is led by Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana.
Whether it will be your kind of war depends. "Lone Survivor" is as much a paean to machismo as to the ultimate sacrifice of troops in the line of fire. That kind of unfiltered and excessive test of body, mind and spirit is characteristic of the muscular moviemaking Berg favors. Though it hasn't always worked for the director (last year's "Battleship" for example), it did on the football field in his 2004 breakthrough, "Friday Night Lights." The attitude works better still in the Afghan mountains, where the combat is fierce and at ground level.
Berg, who wrote and directed, is more interested in how men deal with battle than the ideals or the politics that put them there. What the movie achieves, with a gruesome energy and a remarkable reality, is a firefight. Bullets ripping through bodies; harrowing falls snapping bones; blinding pain; men soldiering on despite wounds that should stop them. Captured in uncompromising detail by director of photography Tobias Schliessler, this movie is not for the faint of heart.
PHOTOS: Best films of 2013 | Betsy Sharkey
Luttrell and Patrick Robinson's bestselling book zeros in on 2005's Operation Red Wings. The plan was to put an elite special ops team close enough to a Taliban stronghold to take out a key rebel leader. Instead it devolved into one of the war's costliest single missions, in human terms. Between the men on the ground and the team helicoptered in to try to extricate them, 19 troops were lost. One survived.
Though the title would suggest this is the survivor's story, the film is very much about the collective and individual actions of five men. The team that heads into the remote Afghan mountains include sonar technician Matthew "Axe" Axelson (Foster), gunner's mate Danny Dietz (Hirsch), medic Luttrell (Wahlberg) and leader Michael Murphy (Kitsch). Heading the operation back at base camp, and the rescue efforts that will follow, is Lt. Cmdr. Erik Kristensen (Bana).
Don't judge the film by the first scenes. The visual montage of the extremes of SEALS training is unnecessary and heavy-handed.
PHOTOS: Best films of 2013 | Kenneth Turan
The movie actually begins a few minutes in with Luttrell knocking on death's door. That scene accomplishes what the first fails to do — in a dramatic heartbeat of images and narration, it completely captures the spirit of "Lone Survivor's" fighting force.
The story shifts back a few days and unfolds in two distinct parts — the mission, then the survival. The first stop is Bagram air base, Afghanistan. Inside the makeshift quarters where the special ops team awaits its next assignment, there is a locker room vibe where teasing looks a lot like hazing. A sense of lives back home is in the photos of girlfriends, wives and kids taped above beds, in email exchanges. But fundamentally this is a man's world, a testosterone-saturated proving ground.
The switch flips to serious once the mission is underway. Shot on location in New Mexico, the sheer rock walls of the Santa Cristo range stand in for Afghanistan, putting the difficulty and the danger in sharp relief. The terrain is significant, providing some of the film's most dramatic action.
PHOTOS: Box office top 10 of 2013
Though many already know the story, Berg is good at tension building as the team sets up in the hills above the village where the target, Ahmad Shah (Yousuf Azami), is thought to be hiding. An encounter with three goat herders sets disaster in motion. The Taliban is alerted and the SEALs are soon under attack. When all seems lost, the action shifts to a Pashtun village, a defiant local named Gulab (Ali Suliman) and his young son, who come to Luttrell's aid. This is the film at its most hopeful.
But "Lone Survivor" is short on hope. The fight scenes are extensive and exist almost as a separate character, shaped by adrenaline, determination and fear. Even when a more workmanlike phase of the battle sets in, and one scenario after another is either discarded or attempted, the sense of duress never fades.
The production and costume designers have paid a great deal of attention to the details, from the uniforms and tribal robes, to the bullet wounds and blood. It certainly adds to the film's verisimilitude. But what makes "Lone Survivor" work as well as it does are the human exchanges. Whether friend or foe, the moments feels all too real.
PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of movies and TV
Wahlberg is garnering much well-deserved attention for his gritty portrayal of Luttrell. That the other fighters become distinctive characters whose fate is just as critical to the film is a credit to Foster, Hirsch and Kitsch. As visceral as all four make the pain, it is the raw emotions that are so riveting. Pain in their eyes, tension rippling across faces, acceptance of the inevitable, but never retreat.
Berg has said he felt pressure to properly honor the lives of the real men of Red Wings, and the weight of that responsibility can be felt in every frame. When a sort of cinematic jingoism threatens, the nuances of the performances help pull things back. And the roll call of the fallen at the end feels exactly right.
'Lone Survivor'
MPAA rating: R for strong bloody war violence and pervasive language.
Running time: 2 hours, 1 minute
Playing: At ArcLight Hollywood
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AMY WINEHOUSE, the beehived soul-jazz diva whose self-destructive habits overshadowed a distinctive musical talent, was found dead Saturday in her London home, police have said. She was 27.
Much has been made this evening of the poignance of Winehouse's age. She joins the likes of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain who all died at 27.
It's a club with an unfortunate name…the '27 Club'.
Amy Winehouse found dead
Winehouse shot to fame with the album "Back to Black," whose blend of jazz, soul, rock and classic pop was a global hit. It won five Grammys and made Winehouse – with with her black beehive hairdo and old-fashioned sailor tattoos — one of music's most recognizable stars.
Police confirmed that a 27-year-old female was pronounced dead at the home in Camden Square northern London; the cause of death was not immediately known. London Ambulance Services said Winehouse died before the two ambulance crews it sent arrived at the scene.
An ambulance could be seen parked beneath the trees outside her London home, and the whole street was cordoned off by police tape. Officers kept onlookers away from the scene.
Last month, Winehouse canceled her European comeback tour after she swayed and slurred her way through barely recognizable songs in her first show in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Booed and jeered off stage, she flew home and her management said she would take time off to recover.
"I didn't go out looking to be famous,", Winehouse told the Associated Press when "Back to Black" was released. "I'm just a musician."
But in the end, the music was overshadowed by fame, and by her demons. Tabloids lapped up the erratic stage appearances, drunken fights, stints in hospital and rehab clinics. Performances became shambling, stumbling train wrecks, watched around the world on the Internet.
Early life
Born in 1983 to taxi driver Mitch Winehouse and his pharmacist wife Janis, Winehouse grew up in the north London suburbs, and was set on a showbiz career from an early age. When she was 10, she and a friend formed a rap group, Sweet 'n' Sour – Winehouse was Sour — that she later described as "the little white Jewish Salt 'n' Pepa."
She attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, a factory for British music and acting moppets, later went to the Brit School, a performing arts academy in the "Fame" mold, and was originally signed to "Pop Idol" svengali Simon Fuller's 19 Management.
Her jazz-influenced 2003 debut album, "Frank," was critically praised and sold well in Britain. It earned her an Ivor Novello songwriting award, two Brit nominations and a spot on the shortlist for the Mercury Music Prize.
But Winehouse soon expressed dissatisfaction with the disc, saying she was "only 80 percent behind" the album.
"Frank" was followed by a slump during which Winehouse broke up with her boyfriend, suffered a long period of writer's block and, she later said, smoked a lot of marijuana.
"I had writer's block for so long," she said in 2007. "And as a writer, your self-worth is literally based on the last thing you wrote. .. I used to think, 'What happened to me?'
"At one point it had been two years since the last record and (the record company) actually said to me, 'Do you even want to make another record?' I was like, 'I swear it's coming.' I said to them, 'Once I start writing I will write and write and write. But I just have to start it.'"
The album she eventually produced was a sensation.
Back to Black
Released in Britain in the fall of 2006, "Back to Black" brought Winehouse global fame. Working with producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi and soul-funk group the Dap-Kings, Winehouse fused soul, jazz, doo-wop and, above all, a love of the girl-groups of the early 1960s with lyrical tales of romantic obsession and emotional excess.
"Back to Black" was released in the United States in March 2007 and went on to win five Grammy awards, including song and record of the year for "Rehab."
Music critic John Aizlewood attributed her trans-Atlantic success to a fantastic voice and a genuinely original sound.
"A lot of British bands fail in America because they give America something Americans do better — that's why most British hip-hop has failed," he said. "But they won't have come across anything quite like Amy Winehouse."
Winehouse's rise was helped by her distinctive look — black beehive of hair, thickly lined cat eyes, girly tattoos — and her tart tongue.
She was famously blunt in her assessment of her peers, once describing Dido's sound as "background music — the background to death" and saying of pop princess Kylie Minogue, "she's not an artist … she's a pony."
The songs on "Black to Black" detailed breakups and breakdowns with a similar frankness. Lyrically, as in life, Winehouse wore her heart on her sleeve.
"I listen to a lot of '60s music, but society is different now," Winehouse said in 2007. "I'm a young woman and I'm going to write about what I know."
Even then, Winehouse's performances were sometimes shambolic, and she admitted she is "a terrible drunk."
Increasingly, her personal life began to overshadow her career.
She acknowledged struggling with eating disorders and told a newspaper that she had been diagnosed as manic depressive but refused to take medication. Soon accounts of her erratic behavior, canceled concerts and drink- and drug-fueled nights began to multiply.
Photographs caught her unsteady on her feet or vacant-eyed, and she appeared unhealthily thin, with scabs on her face and marks on her arms.
There were embarrassing videos released to the world on the Internet. One showed an addled Winehouse and Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty playing with newborn mice. Another, for which Winehouse apologized, showed her singing a racist ditty to the tune of a children's song.
Winehouse's managers went to increasingly desperate lengths to keep the wayward star on the straight and narrow.
Though she was often reported to be working on new material, fans got tired of waiting for the much-promised followup to "Back to Black."
Occasional bits of recording saw the light of day. Her rendition of The Zutons' "Valerie" was a highlight of producer Mark Ronson's 2007 album "Version," and she recorded the pop classic "It's My Party" for the 2010 Quincy Jones album "Q: Soul Bossa Nostra."
But other recording projects with Ronson, one of the architects of the success of "Back to Black," came to nothing.
She also had run-ins with the law. In April 2008, Winehouse was cautioned by police for assault after she slapped a man during a raucous night out.
The same year she was investigated by police, although not charged, after a tabloid newspaper published a video that appeared to show her smoking crack cocaine.
In 2010, Winehouse pleaded guilty to assaulting a theater manager who asked her to leave a family Christmas show because she'd had too much to drink. She was given a fine and a warning to stay out of trouble by a judge who praised her for trying to clean up her act.
My Blake
In May 2007 in Miami, she married music industry hanger-on Blake Fielder-Civil, but the honeymoon was brief. That November, Fielder-Civil was arrested for an attack on a pub manager the year before. Fielder-Civil later pleaded guilty to assaulting barman James King and then offering him £200,000 pounds to keep quiet about it.
Winehouse stood by "my Blake" throughout his trial, often blowing kisses at him from the court's public gallery and wearing a heart-shaped pin labeled "Blake" in her hair at concerts. But British newspapers reported extramarital affairs while Fielder-Civil was behind bars.
They divorced in 2009.
Winehouse's health often appeared fragile. In June 2008 and again in April 2010, she was taken to hospital and treated for injuries after fainting and falling at home.
Her father said she had developed the lung disease emphysema from smoking cigarettes and crack, although her spokeswoman later said Winehouse only had "early signs of what could lead to emphysema."
She left the hospital to perform at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in Hyde Park in June 2008, and at the Glastonbury festival the next day, where she received a rousing reception but scuffled with a member of the crowd. Then it was back to a London clinic for treatment, continuing the cycle of music, excess and recuperation that marked her career.
Amy Winehouse performs Love is a Losing Game at the Mercury Music Prize:
- Additional reporting by AP


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Christian Band Royal Tailor Redeeming Culture, Katy Perry Lyrics
There are very few occasions when a Christian rock/pop band debuts with fire and Royal Tailor has certainly ignited the stage.
With the recent launch of their debut album, Black & White, they have already made their mark as No. 1 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Albums charts, No. 21 on the overall iTunes Top Albums chart and also No. 6 on SoundScan's Current Contemporary Christian Overall Chart.
But what is so attracting about Royal Tailor?
Their music is described as a blend of fun and energetic rhythm carrying the perfect dose of pop, rock, R&B, hip hop, and worship while maintaining a strong lyrical depth. The band members, Tauren Wells (lead vocals,) Blake Hubbard (bass guitar,) Jarrod Ingram (drums,) and D.J. Cox (guitar) aim to infuse dance, prayer and meditation over God's message through their music.
Frontman Tauren Wells shared with The Christian Post that because they are still young, they relate to issues students deal with. They use the age factor as an opportunity to send a message through their music of hope and trust in the Lord and "to do what God has called you to be, not being an imitator of culture but an influencer. So we're just empowering people to search for themselves and discover who they are in Christ," said Wells.
The band is big on encouraging Christians "to step out of the role as Christian spectators and into the church of the 21st century that God has called us to be. There's never been a greater time to live and serve God and we don't have to take our ball and go home," Wells highlighted.
Rising to the surface in any field such as film, fashion or music is a tremendously important role every Christian should aspire to so that they can be the cultural influencers and "make Christ known in these last days," the 25-year-old specified.
"The church used to be the cultural influence and that's what our songs are really about – it's a song where we use lyrics from our record titles and song titles form artists like Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Kanye West, and Lady Gaga. We actually use those messages against their message so that we can establish the fact that we are not going to let the poison of the culture sweep into our lives."
Their song "Control" referencing popular artists says: "It's all plastic and I can't be a fake/ it's all static, every word that they say…Life is short, baby tik tok/Ain't got no time for you blah blah blah (nah nah nah)/'Cause girl we don't need your drug/No, no, we don't want what you're calling love/'Cause I believe that you're either yes or no/You're hot or cold/No teenage dream could ever be worth your soul/ Never worth your soul."
Royal Tailor originally formed at a Bible college in Indianapolis three years ago. During Wells' stay he realized that he didn't have to fit a particular mold such as youth ministry, preaching, mission or evangelism to reach people. He realized that "God had uniquely gifted us to make a powerful impact in the world because what makes us unique makes us powerful."
Before their hit album, Black & White, they performed over 300 shows in two years and spent one of those years working with a student ministry. While they were immersed in music as well as ministering to students, they began to pen down some of the songs for their first record.
A week before the Gospel Music Association week, they were invited to attend and were introduced to Jason MacArthur, the vice president of A&R at Provident Label Group, their current record label.
"We have seen God's favor, unmerited favor. We are just humbly following His purpose of life for us but of course we are looking with great anticipation to the future with this new record being out."
Royal Tailor will begin touring with Building 429 starting July 14.
On the Web: Royal Tailor Music


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Press Release
New York, 26 November 2014
Macquarie Group's ("Macquarie") (ASX:MQG; ADR:MQBKY) Energy Markets Division ("Macquarie Energy") today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a minority interest in Nova Energia ("Nova"), a top 10 marketer and trader of electricity in Brazil.
"Nova has built a well-regarded and profitable electrical energy trading business with a strong market position," said Nick O'Kane, Global Head of Energy Markets, Macquarie Group. "The Nova partners understand the market dynamics and regulatory environment in Brazil and take a conservative approach to risk that complements our own strong risk management framework. We are pleased to be able to establish a strong foothold in Brazil by partnering with this experienced team."
Founded in 2009, Nova provides trading, risk management, and consultancy services to producers and consumers in the Brazilian electrical energy market. With offices in Sao Paulo and Recife, Nova accounts for more than 25 million MWh of electrical energy sold and manages over 1,800 MW of installed capacity. Nova's partners include Gustavo Doná Machado, André Bonaldo, Wagner Braz, Gustavo Coelho, Rafael Bispo and Glaucio Oliveira.
"We are delighted to enter into this transaction with an established player like Macquarie Energy," said Gustavo Machado , Partner, Nova Energia. "Macquarie Energy has a strong track record in the global commodities markets. We are confident that their expertise and market credibility will help us to further grow our market share and expand our presence in Brazil."
As part of the transaction, Macquarie Energy will have two seats on Nova's Board and minority shareholder rights. Macquarie Energy will provide Nova with additional expertise and input on managing credit, market and operational risks. Day-to-day management decisions will continue to be made by the current management of Nova. Nova will continue to manage its balance sheet independently.
The acquisition marks Macquarie Energy's entry into Brazil's electrical energy sector, but Macquarie has been active in Brazil since 1999. Through its representative office in São Paulo, Macquarie provides financial solutions for local Brazilian companies associated with global commodity markets, including pre-export financing, structured stock/ inventory financing and structured risk management products. Macquarie Agricultural Funds Management (MAFM) provides asset management services from offices in São Paulo and Ribeirão Preto.
"We feel the Brazilian power trading market represents a significant opportunity," added O'Kane. "We look forward to working with management as they continue to grow the business.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Nova Energia was founded in 2009 and in 2013 its revenues exceeded R$ 530 million, placing it among the largest power traders in Brazil. In addition to power trading and tailor-made solutions, renders management, representation before the CCEE (Power Trading Chamber), advisory and consultancy services to various agents in the power sector. It currently has in its portfolio the management of 55 assets considering large-scale power consumers; hydraulic, wind and gas power plants; and, especially, sugar-cane bagasse thermoelectric plants, totaling approximately 1800 MW of capacity - over 10% of all biomass generation market.
Australia and New Zealand
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Europe, Middle East and Africa
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VSC Commissioners board meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 9:30 am at the LCSVC Conference Room at 2595 Arlington Ave
Show All Answers
There are two primary types of services available at the VSC. In addition to filing claims and requesting Military records for veterans, Temporary Financial Assistance is available to those Honorably Discharged veterans who are residents of Lucas County, who qualify, and who provide the documents to the VSC staff that are required by Ohio State Statute. Examples of assistance are: Food Vouchers; Rent, Mortgage, Utility; Medical Prescription Funds; Transportation to VA Medical Facilities.
A veteran could walk in for assistance. But, all staff members may be engaged in assisting other veterans. An initial call in is the best option.


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Sally Frautschy, Ph.D.
Professor in Residence of Neurology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Director, Sally A. Frautschy Alzheimer Research Laboratory
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
West Los Angeles Medical Center
11301 Wilshire Blvd., Building 114, Room #114
Los Angeles, CA 90073
Tel: (310) 478-3711 x46499
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Dr. Frautschy's focus in her graduate & initial post-graduate work was to understand the adverse effects of chronic stress on physiology, intrigued by the work of Hans Selye, who in 1956 coined the word "stress" from physics to use to describe the physiological/chemical response to an emotional reaction. She worked under experts in the field of 'stress', completing her MS under the late Gary Moberg at UC Davis in 1980 and Ph.D. in 1986 under Professor Robert Liptrap, DVM, Ph.D. at Univ. of Guelph, Ontario, Canada (also a photographer.) After completing her Ph.D., she trained with Dipak Sarkar (UCSD, now at Rutgers), another neuroendocrinologist. During her 2nd postdoc with Dr. Andrew Baird & directorship of Roger Guillemin (a Nobel laureate who did his postdoc under Hans Selye), Sally worked on brain injury induction of neurotrophic factors where she began her collaboration with Dr. Cole. Many neurotrophic factors become elevated in the Alzheimer's brain as a 'response' to injury. In 1988, Dr. Frautschy, in collaboration with Dr. Cole, decided to evaluate the brain's response to human amyloid and was the first to describe the inflammatory response. Since then, her priority has been to develop practical and effective approaches, particularly nutritional, for stopping this tragic disease, which in part, evolves from a personal experience with a head injury.
Alzheimer's Disease.
COMPLETED - Project 3: Efficacy of New Drugs Directed against Beta Amyloid using in vitro and in vivo Models
Sally A. Frautschy Alzheimer Research Laboratory
Ma QL, Yang F, Frautschy SA., Cole GMPAK in Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease and X-linked mental retardation. Cell Logist 2012;2(2):117-125. PMID: 23162743; PMCID: PMC3490962
Ma QL, Zuo X, Yang F, Ubeda O, Gant D, Alaverdyan M, Teng E, Hu S, Chen PP, Maiti P, Teter B, Cole GM, Frautschy SA. Curcumin suppresses soluble tau oligomers and corrects molecular chaperone, synaptic and behavioral deficits in aged human tau transgenic mice. J Biol Chem 2012 Dec 21. PMID: 23264626
Roychaudhuri R, Yang M, Deshpande A, Cole GM, Frautschy S, Lomakin A, Benedek GB, Teplow DB. C-Terminal Turn Stability Determines Assembly Differences between Aβ40 and Aβ42. J Mol Biol 2013;425(2):292-308. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.11.006. PMID: 23154165
Frautschy SA, Cole GM. What was lost in translation in the DHA trial is whom you should intend to treat. Alzheimers Res Ther 2011 Jan 20;3(1):2. doi: 10.1186/alzrt61. PMID: 21251328; PMCID: PMC3109411
Cole GM, Frautschy SA. Why pleiotropic interventions are Needed for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurobiol. 2010 Jun;41(2-3):392-409.
Cole GM, Frautschy SA. Mechanisms of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2010 Apr;9(2):140-148.
Cole GM, Frautschy SA. DHA may prevent age-related dementia. J Nutr. 2010;140(4):869-874.
Ma QL, Galasko DR, Ringman JM, Vinters HV, Edland SD, Pomakian J, Ubeda OJ, Rosario ER, Teter B, Frautschy SA, Cole GM. Reduction of SorLa/LR11, a sorting protein limiting beta-amyloid production, in Alzheimer Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid. Arch Neurol 2009 Apr;66(4):448-457.
Hu S, Begum AN, Jones MR, Oh MS, Beech WK, Beech BH, Yang F, Chen P, Ubeda OJ, Kim PC, Davies P, Ma Q, Cole GM, Frautschy SA. GSK3 inhibitors show benefits in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) model of neurodegeneration but adverse effects in control animals. Neurobiol Dis 2009 Feb;33(2):193-206.
Begum AN, Yang F, Teng E, Hu S, Jones MR, Rosario ER, Beech W, Hudspeth B, Ubeda OJ, Cole GM, Frautschy SA. Use of copper and insulin-resistance to accelerate cognitive deficits and synaptic protein loss in a rat Abeta-infusion Alzheimer's disease model. J Alzheimers Dis 2008 Dec;15(4):625-640.
Begum AN, Jones MR, Lim GP, Morihara T, Kim P, Heath DD, Rock CL, Pruitt MA, Yang F, Hudspeth B, Hu S, Faull K, Teter B, Cole GM, Frautschy SA. Curcumin structure-function, bioavailablity and efficacy in models of neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2008 Jul;326(1):196-208.
Ma QL, Yang F, Calon F, Ubeda OJ, Hansen JE, Weisbart RH, Beech W, Frautschy SA, Cole GM. P21-activated kinase aberrant activation and translocation in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. rrant activation and translocation in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. J Biol Chem 2008 May 16;283(20):14132-14143.
Ma QL, Teter B, Ubeda OJ, Morihara T, Dhoot D, Nyby MD, Tuck ML, Frautschy SA, Cole GM. Omega-3 Fatty Acid Docosahexaenoic Acid Increases Sorla/LR11, a Sorting Protein with Reduced Expression in Sporadic Alzheimer Disease (AD): Relevance to AD Prevention. Journal of Neuroscience December 26, 2007;27(52):14299 –14307.


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Contact the Public Works, Utility Division at 407-971-5675.
Show All Answers
Water used for drinking and cooking should be free of pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms that cause such illnesses as typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, and gastroenteritis. Since the advent of modern water treatment systems in the early 1900's, waterborne occurrences of these diseases have been dramatically reduced.
Although there are several methods to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms in water, chlorination is most commonly used and is an excellent way to disinfect drinking water supplies. The City of Oviedo uses chloramines, a variation of this method, to treat and disinfect our drinking water supply.
Chloramines are produced at water treatment plants by combining chlorinated water and ammonia. This is done to increase the effectiveness of the disinfecting material as it journeys through miles of underground pipes. It also reduces the taste and odor of water, which is purely chlorinated.
The City of Oviedo's treatment process for potable water meets all of the requirements established by the federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. Call 407-971-5681 to request the most recent Annual Water Quality Reports for more information and the most up-to-date water quality test results.
In some areas of Oviedo, water moves very slowly through the distribution pipes. Slow movement may cause sediment to build up over time, resulting in a film to accumulate along the pipe walls. Flushing lines cause the water to move very quickly, cleaning the pipes, and assuring consistently good water quality.
No. The flushed water is free to either evaporate or percolate into the ground. Also, the overall increase in water use for flushing is small compared to the amount of water used during the year.
Temporarily converting from chloramines to free chlorine is done to accompany the flushing process. Overtime, sediments accumulate in water pipes. If not controlled, this can reduce the quality of our drinking water. The material in water pipes can become accustomed to the chloramine disinfectant, which is routinely used. Switching to free chlorine, which is a stronger disinfectant, for a short period, ensures the quality of our water during the flushing process. Using fire hydrants to conduct system-wide flushing of our distribution mains, combined with the disinfectant change, is a very effective method for cleaning out this sediment and other built-up material. This procedure is a standard practice used nationwide.
You may notice a slight chlorine taste and smell to water during this period. This is normal and poses no health risk. If you would like to minimize this odor, you could put a pitcher of water in the refrigerator until cold and then drink.
You may also see Oviedo Utility crews with fire hydrants open and water flowing. This is part of the water main flushing activities.
The Conversion will last for approximately 20 days to get to the outer most points of the distribution system.
No, the City of Oviedo routinely conducts this maintenance on our drinking water system on an annual or bi-annual basis.
Yes. This is a common industry practice. Many utilities throughout the country that use chloramines as a distribution system disinfectant convert to free chlorine annually for water line flushing.
Kidney dialysis patients can safely drink, cook, and bathe in chloramine-treated water. Chloramines are only harmful if they directly enter the bloodstream. Since water does come into contact with the bloodstream during hemodialysis, very strict water purification standards should already be followed by your healthcare provider. However, if you have any concerns, please contact your healthcare provider for more information.
Chlorine and chloramine may be toxic to fish, other aquatic animals, reptiles, and amphibians. Unlike humans and other household pets, these types of animals absorb water directly into the bloodstream. However, products are available at aquarium supply stores that can remove chloramine. Ask your local pet store about methods of eliminating disinfectants from water for these pets.


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Stories about the microbial hitchhikers we all harbor, the largest dam-removal project in North America, and issues raised by the new era of personal genomics are among the winners of the 2012 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards.
The awards, administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since their inception in 1945, go to professional journalists for distinguished reporting for a general audience. The Kavli Foundation provided a generous endowment in 2009 that ensures the future of the awards program.
Independent panels of science journalists pick the winners, who will receive $3000 and a plaque at the 2013 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston in February.
Carl Zimmer, a freelance science writer, won the award for the large newspaper category for three stories published in The New York Times, including a piece about the trillions of microbes that reside on and in our bodies. Zimmer, who previously won in the large newspaper category in 2009 and in the online category in 2004, also wrote about evolution in the every-day urban environment of New York City as well as concerns about a rise in scientific journal retractions.
"I'm deeply grateful to my editors at The New York Times for letting me follow my curiosity about science in whatever direction it leads, be it the bacteria that live inside of us, the evolution going on around us, or the precarious state of science today," Zimmer said. "That sort of freedom is a precious commodity these days."
Kirsten Weir, the winner in the children's science news category, also wrote for her young readers about the microbes that inhabit our bodies and help in many cases to keep invading organisms at bay. "Kids often seem to think that science is something that happens in a laboratory or a faraway place," Weir said. "I loved that this story underscored how much is still unknown about the organisms living right under our noses (not to mention the rest of our bodies)."
Lynda V. Mapes, Steve Ringman and Genevieve Alvarez of The Seattle Times won in the online category for a richly detailed package of stories, videos, graphics and photographs on the removal of two old dams on the Elwha River in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State and efforts to restore the ecosystem.
Sarah Holt, who also is now a three-time winner of the award, was honored along with executive producer Laurie Donnelly for a NOVA documentary, "Cracking Your Genetic Code." The program, which was written, produced and directed by Holt, explored what it could mean when each of us, for a reasonable cost, can have all of the information in our DNA read, stored and available for analysis. The readout on your genes will reveal the risks of developing certain diseases as well as the chances you might pass them along to your children. The program also discussed the moral dilemmas raised by the new era of genetic self-knowledge.
Alan I. Leshner, chief executive officer of AAAS and executive publisher of the journal Science, said the 2012 awards "show that reporters are taking on big stories that both excite and enlighten. Science journalism, despite budget stringencies at many news organizations, remains alive and well."
The full list of winners of the 2012 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards:
Large Newspaper: Circulation of 100,000 or more
Carl Zimmer, freelance writer
Published in The New York Times
"Evolution Right Under Our Noses" 26 July 2011
"A Sharp Rise in Retractions Prompts a Call for Reform" 17 April 2012
"Tending the Body's Microbial Garden" 19 June 2012
Carl Zimmer
The judges praised Zimmer's entry as an example of sustained excellence in reporting on a range of science topics. His story about evolution at work on organisms living in and around New York City—from white-footed mice in an urban park to native ants to fish in the Hudson River—was a "surprising, intriguing, and amusing look at science in unexpected places," said contest judge Laura Helmuth, science editor for the online magazine Slate. Robert Lee Hotz, a science writer for The Wall Street Journal, said Zimmer's reporting on urban evolution and on the microbes that exist on and in the human body "makes us see the world with new eyes." At the same time, Hotz added, Zimmer "does not shy from exposing the shortcomings and frauds of science, as retractions and examples of misconduct become more numerous."
Small newspaper: Circulation less than 100,000
The judges declined to give an award in the small newspaper category this year.
Michelle Nijhuis, freelance writer
Published in Smithsonian magazine
"Crisis in the Caves"
July/August 2011
Michelle Nijhuis
Nijhuis donned a protective suit and went underground to observe both bats and biologists as she reported on white-nose syndrome, a fast-moving fungal disease that has killed more than a million cave-dwelling bats in the northeastern United States and is threatening to spread across the continent. The judges noted the scope of the Nijhuis story, which provided an in-depth look at an issue that has been emerging since 2007 when the disease was first discovered in bats behaving oddly in upstate New York. Andrew Revkin, a senior fellow at Pace University and Dot Earth blogger for The New York Times, called the story a "deep, detailed, and disturbing dive into the mysterious outbreak devastating bats in North America." Nancy Shute, a freelance science writer and immediate past president of the National Association of Science Writers, said the piece showed "terrific field reporting, lyrical writing, and compassion for the struggles of scientists in the face of the unknown." Nijhuis, a previous winner in 2006 in the small newspaper category, noted that bats are "about as far from 'charismatic megafauna' as you can get." The challenge of the story, she said, was to demystify the creatures and make their "very real plight interesting and appealing" to a general audience. "The scientists in the story, who were passionate about bats and about solving the problems at hand, helped me to do that," she said. Note: Revkin recused himself in the judging for the Zimmer entry.
Spot News/Feature Reporting (20 minutes or less)
Sheraz Sadiq
KQED QUEST (San Francisco)
"Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct: Big Fixes for Big Quakes"
9 November 2011
Sheraz Sadiq
Much of the Hetch Hetchy water delivery system for the San Francisco Bay Area was built in the 1920s and 1930s with riveted steel pipes that don't perform well during earthquakes. At a cost of $4.6 billion, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has been installing new pipes and employing state-of-the-art engineering elements. In a solid mix of historical footage and on-the-scene reporting, with an appreciation for the challenges involved, KQED's Sheraz Sadiq explained the engineering steps being undertaken to protect the Bay Area's water supply. Guy Gugliotta, a freelance science writer who helped judge the contest, called the KQED broadcast "a comprehensive look at the vulnerability of the water supply in the San Francisco Bay Area — something that should concern every resident." He praised the "fascinating use of historical footage, outstanding engineering footage, and graphics" to tell the tale. "My editors and I knew from the outset that this would be a difficult story to tell," Sadiq said. "It would need to cover the controversial history of Hetch Hetchy, explain how the current water system works and the complex, innovative work underway to keep the water flowing in the event of a major earthquake in the Bay Area."
In-Depth Reporting (more than 20 minutes)
Sarah Holt and Laurie Donnelly
"Cracking Your Genetic Code" 28 March 2012
Sarah Holt and Laurie Donnelly
"Cracking Your Genetic Code" told about the emerging field of personalized medicine through the eyes of real people, including a cancer patient who appears to have cheated death and a cystic fibrosis sufferer breathing easily because scientists have been able to pinpoint and neutralize genetic abnormalities. But the program noted that in a new field, success and failure often intermix. It told of the frustrating and so-far unsuccessful hunt for genetic clues to an illness that has caused a bubbly 5-year-old to suffer multiple strokes. The program also discussed the moral dilemmas raised by the new era of genetic self-knowledge: Will it help or hurt us to know the diseases that may lie in our future, particularly if no treatments are now available? And what happens if such information falls into the hands of insurance companies, employers or prospective mates? Janet Raloff, senior editor at Science News, said the NOVA program is "an example of probing, first-rate journalism. Compelling story lines kept you engaged from beginning to end." Steve Burns, an independent TV producer with long experience in science programming, said the broadcast is "full of great journalistic storytelling on a topic important and relevant to each of us." Holt, like Zimmer in the print category, also becomes a three-time winner. She previously won awards for TV in 2002 and 2010. "Personalized medicine will soon be coming to a doctor's office near you," Donnelly said, "and we will all need to be able to critically assess the ethical issues it raises, along with its potential benefits." The winning program was produced in association with The Hastings Center, a nonprofit bioethics research institute.
Bari Scott, Alex Chadwick, Mary Beth Kirchner, Robert Rand, Robin Wise
"Particles: Nuclear Power After Fukushima"
SoundVision Productions for American Public Media
11 March 2012
Clockwise from top left: Bari Scott, Alex Chadwick, Mary Beth Kirchner, Robert Rand, Robin Wise
The program, part of a series called "BURN: An Energy Journal," was a one-year anniversary special examining the future of nuclear power after the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan. It featured an interview with an American nuclear technician who was working inside the plant when the tsunami and earthquake struck. It also included tape recordings from inside the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Emergency Operations Center as officials struggled to shape America's response to the Fukushima disaster. Seth Borenstein, a science reporter for the Associated Press, said the broadcast was "gripping, informative and thorough—radio science journalism at its best." Larry Engel, an associate professor in the American University School of Communication and a freelance broadcast producer, said the program had "an excellent combination of story reporting, writing, character development, and sound recording and editing." Bari Scott, executive producer of the BURN series, said: "We're honored that AAAS has recognized BURN's debut program. By showing energy issues through the lens of personal experience, BURN aims to help people let go of preconceived notions and take in new information." Scott previously won the radio award in 2002.
Lynda V. Mapes, Steve Ringman, Genevieve Alvarez
The Seattle Times
"Elwha: The Grand Experiment" 17 September 2011
Genevieve Alvarez, Steve Ringman, Lynda V. Mapes
On the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington, the largest dam-removal project in North America is underway. At a cost of $325 million, two dams that have blocked salmon runs on the Elwha River for more than a century are being removed in a grand experiment in ecological restoration that is posing challenges for engineers and scientists alike. State, federal and tribal scientists are gathering baseline data on what the river basin is like today and what it could become as 800 acres drowned by the dam reservoirs are seeded with hundreds of thousands of native plants. The complicated restoration process could take as much as a century. In an ambitious series on the project, reporter Lynda V. Mapes, photographer Steve Ringman, and video editor Genevieve Alvarez shaped thousands of words and photos as well as hours of raw video footage into a multiple-platform presentation that the judges praised for exploiting the online medium. "This is what online journalism should be," said David Baron, health and science editor for Public Radio International's The World. "All of the elements — text, photos, video, graphics — work together seamlessly. The site is rich and vibrant, bringing to life a fascinating story about a special place." Mapes said: "For each of us, it was so rewarding to have an opportunity to go into depth on such a complex and important story, and learn not only the what, but the why and how behind the restoration of an entire ecosystem, from mountains to the sea." Kathy Sawyer, a freelance science writer who formerly was with The Washington Post, said the series "takes the reader into the water with the fish and renders the scientists' 'muddy boots' research with telling detail, while also offering humanizing details on dam workers, tribal members, and others."
Kirsten Weir, freelance writer
Published in Current Health Kids
"Uninvited Guests" April/May 2012
Kirsten Weir
Weir described for her young readers the parasites, microbes, and creepy-crawlies that live in (and on) the human body. In her lively tour of our hitch-hiking microbial community, Weir noted: "There are more of them than there are of us." She cautioned her readers not to be freaked out by the trillions of microbial stowaways, noting that most of them are essential and help prevent other, more harmful bacteria from moving in. Catherine Hughes, senior editor for science at National Geographic Kids, said Weir used humor, analogy, and a great opening paragraph "to pull in and keep her readers." She said Weir's "well-placed use of figures and numbers added more "wow" factors to the topic." Weir noted, for example, that when researchers stuck cotton swabs into the navels of 90 people, they found about 1400 species of microbes, many of which had never been seen before. "This piece was beautifully written, broke down a complex subject and included excellent reporting," said Lisa Friedman, deputy editor of ClimateWire. "I learned something from it, and I think kids will too."
Learn more about The Kavli Foundation, which provided a generous endowment in 2009 that ensures the future of the awards program.
Learn more about the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards.


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Enforcement provisions are not applicable to everyday activities such as mowing your lawn, weeding or washing your car. There are enforcement provisions in the SMP that allow the City to fine individuals that fail to comply with regulations. The enforcement provisions, including fines, are consistent with the authority provided to the City in the Washington State Shoreline Management Act. However, it is City policy that staff first work with individuals to come into voluntary compliance. A fine would only be issued if an individual failed to comply after working with City staff.
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Preserve Responsible Shoreline Management (PRSM), et al, and Kitsap County Association of Realtors (KCAR) filed an appeal of the City's SMP in October 2014. In April 2015, the Growth Management Hearings Board concluded that the Petitioners failed to provide clear and convincing evidence demonstrating that the City's SMP was inconsistent, or failed to comply, with the Shoreline Management Act or applicable guidelines. The Growth Management Hearings Board ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the City, denied the appeal and dismissed the case. The same petitioners subsequently filed a Petition for Review with the Kitsap County Superior Court in May 2015. A briefing schedule has not been set.
No. The U.S Constitution allows state and local governments to limit private property activities provided the limitations serve a legitimate public benefit and they do not deprive the landowner of all reasonable use of the property. The SMP regulations protect shorelines of the state, a public resource. In most cases, buffers do not deprive landowners of all reasonable use of their property and, generally speaking, all property tends to benefit from reasonable setbacks and buffers. In those limited instances where a buffer or setback precludes or significantly interferes with reasonable use, the property owner may apply for a variance.
No. During the SMP update process, we heard numerous concerns about how the new SMP regulations might affect shoreline property values. However, Kitsap County Assessor's data indicate that for the one-year period following the effective date of the SMP (August 2014 through July 2015), the median sale value of waterfront homes slightly increased over the one-year period prior (August 2013 through July 2014). And while complete 2015 sales data is not yet available, the total number of waterfront sales for 2015 (currently 41) appears to be on pace to equal or exceed 2014 sales (53).
No. Maintenance of existing residential landscaping is not regulated by the SMP. Vegetation management standards in the SMP do not apply retroactively to existing lawfully established uses and developments, including maintenance of existing residential landscaping, such as lawns and gardens. Property owners are strongly encouraged to voluntarily improve shoreline vegetation conditions over the long term.
Yes. The SMP states, "any changes from the existing landscape to a different landscaping use or activity will require that the modified area comply with the provisions of 4.1.3, Vegetation Management, and the intent of providing native vegetation to maintain ecological functions and processes." Making changes within an existing garden - such as switching from tulips to daffodils or tomatoes to potatoes - would not be considered a change from the existing landscape and would not be regulated by the SMP. Larger-scale changes would need to meet the intent of providing native vegetation. For example, if you wanted to get rid of a large area of ornamental rose bushes within the shoreline buffer because they are difficult to maintain, the City would require that you replace the roses with native plants. Removal of non-native vegetation outside the shoreline buffer is permitted. The City recognizes that "any changes" is broad language and will clarify its meaning as part of the anticipated limited amendment.
It depends. There are provisions within the SMP that allow for pruning without permission. Vegetation management standards do not apply to maintenance of existing residential landscaping. Maintenance trimming of vegetation that has a main stem or supporting structure less than three inches in diameter - except for tree topping - is specifically exempt from vegetation management standards. Minor pruning within the shoreline buffer, including thinning of larger branches to enhance views, is allowed with a clearing permit. A clearing permit can be obtained for no cost - in many cases over-the-counter - from the Department of Planning and Community Development at City Hall.
Yes. Unless it remains as a wildlife snag (left upright at a safe height), a dead tree that is taken down within the shoreline jurisdiction must be retained on site to provide or enhance wildlife or marine habitat. The City does not have an approved list of replacement trees, but does offer a list of recommended plants for mitigation and revegetation.
No. There is no stated goal in the SMP to phase out all single-family docks over time. The regulations in the SMP - not the goals or policies - are part of the City's development regulations. The goals are not regulations in themselves and, therefore, do not impose requirements beyond those set forth in the regulations. While the SMP does have provisions that limit areas where docks may be constructed, the Cumulative Impacts Analysis completed for the SMP (2012) determined that a total of 155 new docks could be constructed based on existing site conditions and proposed SMP regulations.
No. The stated over-arching goal of the SMP is to "ensure that future use and development of the City's shoreline maintain a balance between competing uses, results in no net loss of shoreline ecological functions, and achieves a net ecosystem improvement over time." Residential use - homes and appurtenant structures - are a preferred use of the shoreline.
Yes. If property owners can clearly demonstrate a need to protect their residence from loss or damage, they can replace their bulkhead using the approach that has the least impact on the natural shoreline.
No. In an analysis completed for the SMP update, approximately 225 existing shoreline homes were identified as potentially "non-conforming" with the proposed (2014) SMP regulations. Nearly double that number were already non-conforming with the existing (1996) SMP regulations. Existing shoreline homes that were legally established, but which do not meet the present regulations or standards of the SMP, are allowed to remain in place and may be repaired, maintained and remodeled and, in some cases, expanded.
Existing homes are "grandfathered" under the Shoreline Management Act and the local shoreline program and may remain in place unaffected by the new shoreline buffers. Existing homes located within the shoreline buffer may be repaired, maintained and remodeled and, in some cases, expanded following provisions for existing development in the SMP. New houses built under the updated SMP are subject to the new buffer standards.
In most cases, yes. The SMP states, "If an existing primary structure is damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, earthquake, flooding or other casualty, it may be reconstructed to the bulk dimension existing immediately prior to the catastrophic event." However, if the structure is located on a property with a steep slope, the size and location of the new structure may need to be modified to meet factor of safety standards.
No. You do not forfeit the right to live in your house if it is unoccupied 12 months in a row, or for any amount of time. We believe this concern may be based in a misunderstanding of the term "non-conforming use." A non-conforming use is one that is not permitted in the underlying shoreline designation. For example, a commercial amusement facility is not permitted in the Island Conservancy designation but may be present because it was established prior to effective date of the current regulations. As a non-conforming use, the commercial facility would be allowed to remain until such time the use is discontinued for 12 consecutive months. On the other hand, single-family residential use is a permitted use in all shoreline designations except Natural and is not subject to non-conforming use regulations in the SMP.


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Vitamin D supplements likely do not improve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to results from a clinical trial recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study, which was partially funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the NIH, does not support observational data suggesting that raising people's blood levels of vitamin D may ease OA pain and joint degeneration. OA is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 27 million Americans age 25 and older.
OA occurs when cartilage—the tough, flexible tissue that helps to connect bones—begins to break down and wear away in the areas where bones meet to form joints. When cartilage is lost, bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion.
"Vitamin D is known to be important in building and maintaining overall bone health," said lead study author Timothy McAlindon, M.D., M.P.H., of Tufts Medical Center. "And some epidemiological studies have suggested that people with higher than usual levels of vitamin D have slower rates of OA disease progression compared to those with lower levels. But the research has not been definitive."
In light of the mixed epidemiological data and the known benefits of vitamin D for bone health, McAlindon and colleagues aimed to determine if giving a vitamin D supplement to patients with well-established knee OA could reduce their pain and curb the progression of cartilage loss. For two years, 146 men and women with an average age of 62 were randomized to take either a vitamin D supplement (oral cholecalciferol) or a placebo. The initial dose of vitamin D was 2,000 IU per day. Dosage levels were increased until the participants reached a serum level of more than 36 ng/ml—the point in epidemiological studies at which vitamin D appeared to have an effect on OA progression. Although treatment assignment was randomized, the group taking the vitamin D supplement had slightly worse knee pain and significantly worse knee function at the beginning of the study compared to the placebo group.
At the end of the study, neither group had experienced any significant improvement. Although both groups reported a slight decrease in knee pain, both also demonstrated about a 4 percent reduction in cartilage volume, meaning that joint deterioration continued. Neither group showed better knee function either.
The results show that vitamin D supplementation is not likely to curb the progression of OA, at least not among patients with advanced disease, according to the researchers. McAlindon and colleagues suggest that the study may have been too short in duration to see any significant improvement, and that small, incremental benefits may occur over a longer period of time. Additionally, vitamin D supplements may help people with less advanced disease, but more research is needed to determine this, the researchers concluded.
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McAlindon T, LaValley M, Schneider E, Nuite M, Lee JY, Price LL, Lo G, Dawson-Hughes B. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on progression of knee pain and cartilage volume loss in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 9 Jan 2013.309(2):155-162. NCT00306774
The mission of the NIAMS, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health, is to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. For more information about the NIAMS, call the information clearinghouse at (301) 495-4484 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call) or visit the NIAMS website at https://www.niams.nih.gov.


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MetLife Stadium Company strives to present a safe, pleasant and family-friendly environment for every guest who visits the Stadium. To achieve this goal, the following policies have been established to promote the responsible use of alcohol.
Valid Foreign Passport with a completed NJABC Age Representation Form
International guests looking to purchase alcohol must present a valid passport in order to complete a transaction as part of New Jersey State Law. Delaware North Sportservice, the concessionaire at MetLife Stadium, cannot accept a driver's license from another country to establish proof of age. Please note, guests with a valid passport may also be subject to an additional age verification form to complete a transaction.
All bags and other permissible items will be subject to multiple screenings prior to entering MetLife Stadium.
The following items are not permitted to be carried into MetLife Stadium:
To ensure the highest level of safety and security, all guests will be subject to a courteous screening by Safety Services team members prior to entering the Stadium. All vehicles are subject to inspection prior to entering the MetLife Sports Complex and all bags will be inspected prior to entering the Stadium. Ticket holders who refuse to allow their vehicles to be inspected will be denied entry into the Sports Complex and those who refuse to be screened or have their bags inspected will be denied entry into the Stadium. By having a ticket, the ticket holder consents to such inspections and waives any and all related claims against MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets and the New York Football Giants. Alcohol, weapons, or any items that the Safety Services team deems dangerous will be confiscated. Illegal items will be turned over to the New Jersey State Police.


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This project required a lot of research demo programs. The job holds the new record for most code artists (8) hired on one MTh job. Our apps began receiving animated curves from maya, we introduced a new speed-optimized OBJ sequence file format, and we continued to accumulate maya export scripts. At the request of director Kaan Atilla, I managed to write a bunch of C++ After Effects plugins with names like [FishBall, Stripes, SchizoPath, MeshSpikes, CurveConnector], but in the end I settled back into OpenFrameworks and wxWidgets because when you compete with an Adobe app for internal resources, the Adobe app wins. I'm also disappointed in Adobe's quality of documentation and examples. I was put in a 'lead code artist' position and I feel like I handled myself better this time. We learned a whole lot! Shout outs to new algo-collaborators Jeremy Rotsztain and Tim Stutts.
Watch the video at Motion Theory's website


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One of the first Music Man instruments ever built after the CBS no-compete restriction expired
The bass shown here is an early Music Man StingRay bass prototype custom built for Ball in 1976. Not only is this historically significant for being one of the first Music Man instruments ever built, but also because it now can be seen as a torch-passing moment between Leo Fender and Sterling Ball—current owner and CEO of Ernie Ball Music Man.
It has an ash body finished in a 3-tone sunburst that has aged to a deep chocolate brown around the edges. The neck is a one-piece maple with a walnut stripe down the back and bullet truss rod adjustment on the headstock. It has the original string-through-body bridge with ferrules on the back and adjustable bridge mutes. The unique feature of the bass is the pickup, which was fabricated using two StingRay bass pickup covers, cut and rejoined to form a pickup with five pole pieces in each coil. The pickup is mounted with each string placed between two pole pieces, which are the original 3/8" diameter Alnico V rod magnets. The preamp is the original Music Man 2EQ active preamp. And Dudley Gimpel, Ernie Ball Music Man's production manager and master luthier, says the iconic bass' cool nickname is Old Smoothie, because "its sound is very fat and smooth, with the typical punch of the StingRay, but a little more subdued and much mellower tone."
A special thanks to Dudley Gimpel and Ernie Ball Music Man for the opportunity to feature this fine instrument and its story.


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Multi Site Alarm Systems
Keeping your sites safe & secure shouldn't be complicated. At DASH we pride ourselves on delivering the best solution for each and everyone of our clients. We understand that every site is different and so are people's expectations and desires.
Modern alarm systems have improved ease of use through user control options such as colour touch screens, app based control and self monitoring. Self monitoring allows you to receive notifications on the status of your alarm by email, SMS or app notifications. Your alarm system can also be monitored externally, a monitoring company can contact you incase of an event and also dispatch the appropriate authorities.
Utilising our expertise and experience working with managers and staff we can recommend a system to suit your site to cover all the potential entry and exit points. Alarm equipment has become better designed in recent years going away from box shaped components to modern looking designs with slim external sirens and strobes, less obtrusive sensors, colour touch pads and wireless sensors and reed switches used for doors and windows.


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We'd better start with some brief history. Hermann Weissenborn was a German ex-pat who relocated to the US around the start of the 20th century. Working for various companies and then under his own name, he built guitars in Los Angeles, notably in the 1910s and 20s, when the kind of guitar you see on these pages was conceived.
Following the trend for Hawaiian music, early Weissenborns were typically made from koa, with either solid or hollow square necks, designed to be played lap-style. Despite the modern fascination with the instruments, Weissenborn's original business struggled badly, as Hawaiian music declined in popularity during the 1930s. Since then, the Weissenborn name has become a generic term of sorts, describing a style of instrument rather than a brand.
That said, in the US and UK, the Weissenborn trademark is owned by Breezy Ridge Instruments Ltd, started by British musician John Pearce (of John Pearce strings fame) and his then wife Mary Faith in 1980.
This guitar comes from a Dorset-based firm, headed up by one Ed Greenfield. A former fishing boat builder, Ed's own quest for a good quality, reasonably priced Weissenborn-style instrument lead him to the conclusion that he had no real choice but to build his own.
The idea blossomed and after teaming up with a local luthier, Lee Norris, Greenfield set about refining a set of specifications that he could supply to a Chinese factory, to turn into a range of guitars. With the bulk of the work done overseas, the guitars arrive at Anderwood for hardware fitment, final finishing and setup. Four years into the project, here's an example of their work...
Slide Away
The Style 1 was Weissenborn's most plain and simple instrument. Typically made of koa, this one is in fact crafted from solid mahogany throughout in an attempt to keep the guitar at a very reasonable price (there's also a Style 4 Koa version at £899).
Where the Weissenborn differs radically from other acoustic instruments, including Dobro-style lap guitars, is that the body's sides are one with the square neck, extending all the way up to the nut. The neck is hollow, creating a bigger and more complex soundbox than a conventional acoustic, which is obviously a significant contributor to the distinctive tone.
The top and back are also solid mahogany; in both cases two pieces, joined down the centre that cover the whole area from the lower bout all the way up to the solid anchor that is the headstock. All that's left is to stick the mahogany fingerboard to the front and put the bridge in the right place.
Despite the ostensible simplicity, however, it's nonetheless a very elegant instrument; minimal three-ring maple soundhole inlays, no binding, no rope decoration and just five simple dots on the 'board. Being a vintage- inspired model, tuners are open-geared Waverley with ivoroid buttons: they look rudimentary but are extremely good quality.
Anderwood offers guitars in either gloss or matte finish, this one is the latter that's very much in tune with the current trend of all-mahogany, simple instruments such as Martin's tremendously successful 15-Series. A lap steel is obviously a very different proposition, but we think they'll nonetheless appeal to similar groups of players.
Internally, this Style 1 M is good and tidy as we've come to expect from modern, Asian- made guitars. Greenfield and Norris have worked on certain elements of the design including the bridge and bracing positions for the optimum balance of tone, volume and strength. It is worth saying that a lot of early Weissenborns were much less tidily made than this; rudimentary construction that required a lot of later repairs and attention, just like most vintage acoustic instruments. But boy did they sound good...
Feel & Sounds
Just in case you're wondering, no you can't play it 'normally'. The back of the neck is square and the strings are three-quarters of an inch off the fretboard. Armed with a tonebar, then, a strum across the strings in open D major (that's an open E chord, down a tone) elicits a thick, full, highly resonant tonality that suggests the whole thing is working as one, just as it should.
You might be aware of the extra overtones and 'fullness' you get out of a great 12-fret acoustic guitar compared with an equivalent 14-fretter; this has elements of that, but a few steps on again.
It's not highly refined; for example one of the last Weissenborn-style instruments we played (and heard played) was Martin Simpson's all-koa, gloss-finished guitar made by Ralph Bown. That thing sings like angels on autotune in HD, but as a result also requires immense skill and control to get the best from it. By contrast, this is much more friendly and, dare we say, more 'bluesy'-sounding with its slightly subdued trebles and less piano-like projection.
Don't take that as a criticism, it's merely a comparison and we know players who will prefer the less crystalline, perhaps less 3D tonality. With a couple of condenser mics over the top and goodly dollop of reverb for recording, you soon get lost in the sheer depth and beauty of what's coming out for all manner of roots-derived styles... assuming you're reasonably adept with a tonebar of course!
The included Seymour Duncan Mag Mic pickup offers a decent presentation of the sound through an amp or PA, that will appeal to anyone who recoils from the 'standard' piezo harshness of undersaddle pickups. The predominant signal is the magnetic part of the pickup that has a very organic midrange quality, something that piezos really lack.
Mixing in the internal mic gives a more realistic presentation for high frequencies especially, but go easy because feedback soon becomes a problem. One great thing about the magnetic pickup is that you can add overdrive and go all Ben Harper: what a completely wonderful, engulfing, indulgent sound.
Where would you use it? Anywhere! Blues, country, pop, alt-rock, Americana, folk - you hear sliding acoustic pretty much everywhere these days.
Hats off to Anderwood for offering a quality, cost-conscious route into Weissenborn-style guitars. Dealing direct through its own website keeps prices realistic and, according to Ed Greenfield, also enables him to provide better, more direct customer service than a big retailer who might have bigger, more lucrative sales to make.
The Style 1 M is the highest quality 'simple' instrument in Anderwood's range, with options either way if you want flashier looks, gloss finishes or koa wood. Adding the Duncan pickup contributes significantly to the cost, though bear in mind that it comes fully fitted, itself a fairly complex process.
At this price - including a hard case - the Style 1M is extremely hard to fault. Can we have a gloss koa one now, please?